"Sir?" Ji Tiankui immediately stepped forward and asked upon hearing this.
The Ghost Doctor waved his hand and left the courtyard alone.
Ji Wushang stared blankly at Madam Bei.
Ji Dingbei walked over and said, "Take good care of your mother." He glanced at her a few more times before leaving.
Ji Tiankui was about to say something, but Ji Wushang waved her hand, "Big brother, go and rest! Thank you for tonight." Her tone was extremely calm, as if nothing had happened.
Ji Tiankui looked at Ji Wushang, stepped forward, and sighed, "Big sister, don't be so sad. Birth, aging, sickness, and death are all part of life. You should try to take it easy."
"Heh!" Ji Wushang sneered, looking up at Ji Tiankui, "Big brother, you don't understand."
"I don't understand?" Ji Tiankui looked at Ji Wushang in surprise, but knowing that she was sad, he stopped asking and said, "You should rest well."
When Ji Tiankui left, he didn't forget to give Xian'er and Doukou some instructions. Doukou and Xian'er were already crying their eyes out, but they still nodded in agreement.
As Ji Wushang watched Ji Tiankui walk away, he immediately ordered Xian'er and Doukou, "You can both leave! You don't need to serve me anymore."
"Miss?" they both asked at the same time.
"I told you to get out of here, did you hear me?" Ji Wushang coldly looked up at the two of them, her tone becoming more forceful. Xian'er and Doukou were frightened by her gaze and immediately ran out.
Ji Wushang seemed to have all his mental energy drained away. He lay on the edge of the bed and cried uncontrollably.
The next morning, everyone was busy with Aunt Bai's affairs, seemingly forgetting about Madam Bei. The news that Madam Bei was nearing her end quickly spread throughout the entire mansion, prompting even more maids and servants to gossip about it privately.
Ji Wushang lost a lot of weight, cried all night, and didn't eat breakfast.
Ji Dingbei had no time to attend to matters at home. The Emperor had given orders for him to depart this morning and return to the southeastern coast. With these concerns weighing on his mind, Ji Dingbei went to Jingyuan to pay his respects to the Madam Yuan, then to the East Garden to see Concubine Bai, giving instructions to the servants. Finally, he arrived at the North Garden, where he saw that Ji Wushang was no longer there, and a sense of sadness welled up in his heart.
"Wu Shang, hurry up and have your meal! Someone, bring breakfast! All you maids and servants! You must watch the young lady finish her breakfast before you are allowed to leave!" Ji Dingbei shouted at the servants kneeling in the room outside. Immediately, several maids went to bring breakfast.
Ji Wushang turned to look at Ji Dingbei, expressionless, and simply said, "Father, I can't eat."
"Silly child, if your mother were to wake up and see you like this, she would be heartbroken." Ji Dingbei looked at Ji Wushang, walked over, and gently patted her shoulder. "You must live well for her sake."
"Live well for her?" Ji Wushang muttered these words to himself, looking up at Ji Dingbei, who stood ramrod straight. At this moment, he was clad in armor, looking majestic and awe-inspiring. Yes, this was him, the First-Rank General of the Northern Garrison.
"I would rather my mother live well in my place," Ji Wushang said softly, withdrawing his gaze.
"Silly child." Ji Dingbei looked at Madam Bei on the bed. Her face was slowly turning deathly pale, indicating that her life was slipping away.
"Master, Miss, breakfast is in the hall." Nianhua walked in respectfully from outside and said with her head bowed.
"Quickly, eat first, so that your father can rest assured, okay?" Ji Dingbei still cared for Ji Wushang after all, and his words were filled with more doting affection. However, Ji Wushang was so choked up that he had no appetite to eat.
"Father, I can't eat." Ji Wushang looked at Madam Bei on the bed. "If Mother can wake up, I will eat."
Ji Dingbei looked on, not knowing what to say for a moment. How could this be? Even the Ghost Doctor and other doctors said it was impossible, so how could she wake up? He had already stopped investigating how Aunt Bai fell and had given orders that no one was allowed to talk about it. The only thing to say was that Madam Bei's old illness had relapsed and she was in critical condition.
It's pitiful that his wife, whom he has been married to since childhood, is critically ill, yet he still has to go to the southeastern coast.
“I will go and tell His Majesty that I really cannot bear to leave you all,” Ji Dingbei said, then ordered his servants, “Serve the young lady her meal!” With that, he walked out.
Ji Wushang watched Ji Dingbei leave. Did he mean to request to stay at the manor until after his mother's funeral? If so, he would definitely find a way to make that bitch Bai taste the fruits of her labor! He would let his father see just how despicable Bai really was!
"Young Miss, please have some food." Nianhua stepped forward and knelt down, followed by a large group of maids and servants, all hoping that Ji Wushang would eat something. Xian'er and Doukou also entered and knelt down, "Young Miss, please have something to eat!"
"I ask you, if, if my mother were gone, would you still want to stay in this mansion?" Ji Wushang was very calm at this moment, looking at the large group of people in front of him.
Upon hearing this, everyone replied, "We are willing."
"Alright." Ji Wushang stood up. "Take me to have a meal. Doukou, Nianhua, you two wash Mother's face. I don't want to see any dirt on Mother's face, do you hear me?"
"Yes." Doukou and Nianhua replied. Having served Madam Bei since childhood, they were not afraid of whether she lived or died.
Ji Wushang glanced at them, then walked out and went to the front hall for his meal.
"Go, let me see what's wrong with the East Garden." Ji Wushang looked at one of the old women.
The old woman immediately agreed and went out.
Ji Wushang's face was slightly pale, and he had no appetite, but he still forced himself to drink a bowl of porridge. To compete with others, you must first outlive them! There's plenty of time ahead; if they want me dead, I'll live to the very end!
When Aunt Bai heard that Madam Bei only had one or two days left to live, she was overjoyed, but her face was filled with sorrow. "What did you say? Cough cough? Madam is going to... is going to pass away?"
Ji Meiyuan stepped forward and helped Aunt Bai up, saying, "Aunt, you need to rest. Isn't birth, aging, sickness, and death normal? There's no need to make such a fuss."
Ji Wushang's eyes flickered. Madam Bei was dead, and she was still her legitimate daughter. She wondered if she should go to the North Garden immediately. Moreover, judging by the current situation, it seemed likely that Concubine Bai would soon be promoted to Madam…
"Alas, I just don't understand why Madam pushed me down. Alas, I don't know what I did to offend her!" Aunt Bai feigned regret and wiped away tears. The maids and servants around her felt that Aunt Bai was truly a victim and had suffered a loss this time.
Although Aunt Bai usually had a sharp tongue and liked to punish the servants, she had changed a lot since returning from confinement in Qingya Garden, and people didn't dislike her as much. However, no one expected such a thing to happen.
"Aunt, I want to go see Mother." Ji Wuxia knelt on the ground, looking at Aunt Bai.
Aunt Bai gave her a cold glance, and was about to start cursing, but then changed her tone and said, "Go! Tell her that I am pregnant and not feeling well, so I will not be going to the North Garden."
Ji Wuxia could hardly believe what she had just heard. She didn't object? She had been prepared to be scolded, guessing that after scolding her, she would be allowed to go.
Ji Meiyuan also looked at Aunt Bai. At this moment, Aunt Bai reached out and gently patted Ji Meiyuan's hand, who was sitting by her bedside, "You should go too!" Her eyes were sharp, conveying a certain message.
Ji Meiyuan immediately understood, "Yes!"
Then, Ji Meiyuan and Ji Wuxia arrived at the North Garden. Ji Wushang was still having his meal when he heard that Ji Meiyuan and Ji Wuxia had arrived.
Ji Wushang turned around and said, "Let them in."
As soon as Ji Meiyuan entered, she saw Ji Wushang drinking porridge and went up to her with a smile, saying, "Big sister, why are you having breakfast so late?"
"Hmm, when to use it is none of your business, is it?" Ji Wushang coldly looked up and uttered a sentence.
Upon hearing this, Ji Meiyuan was speechless, her lips twitching.
“Alas, although my second sister and I can’t control when my eldest sister eats, breakfast should be eaten earlier, otherwise it’s not good for your health. I think my second sister is saying this for your health!” Ji Wuxia stepped forward and bowed gracefully.
"Oh, is that so? Then it seems I should thank my second sister?" Ji Wushang's cold gaze swept over Ji Wuxia, then landed on Ji Meiyuan. "How can I thank you for being so considerate of my health?"
"Well, big sister, there's no need to thank me!" Ji Meiyuan looked at Ji Wushang's murderous gaze, how could she say anything to express her gratitude?
"You didn't come here today to see me have breakfast, did you?" Ji Wushang finished his porridge and stood up. "You've come to visit your mother so late at night, you must have some nerve!"
"Big sister, we came as soon as we heard the news! Mother's illness is so serious, it breaks our hearts!" Ji Wuxia was quick to change her tune, and immediately burst into tears. Ji Meiyuan knew what to do and immediately cried as well, "Mother's life is so hard!"
Before Ji Wushang could speak, Aunt Nangong, Aunt Xie, Ji Yinxue, and others arrived. Aunt Qin, however, was unable to come due to her pregnancy, which was already six or seven months along, according to custom.
Aunt Nangong arrived wearing a light-colored long dress, accompanied by Ji Yinxue, while Aunt Xie was still dressed simply, her face slightly somber.
Ji Wushang had the meal removed, and then they went together to Madam Bei's inner room to look after her.
Aunt Nangong shed a few tears symbolically, while Aunt Xie, though not crying, remained silent. Ji Yinxue comforted Ji Wushang while secretly wiping away her own tears. Ji Wuxia and Ji Meiyuan, of course, pretended to cry.
The day passed like a performance. Ji Dingbei informed the emperor that Madam Bei was critically ill. The emperor granted Ji Dingbei permission to handle Madam Bei's funeral arrangements before heading to the southeast coast.
In the middle of the night, Ji Wushang stayed by Madam Bei's bedside, while those who were putting on an act had already dispersed.
Looking at Madam Bei, Ji Wushang was surprisingly calm. Perhaps he was numb with heartache. Ji Wushang reached out and checked Madam Bei's breath. It was faint, but there was still some life.
"Mother, if you have any unfulfilled wishes, please tell me," Ji Wushang said softly.
Just then, Xian'er brought in bird's nest from outside. "Miss, would you like something to eat before going to bed? You've been guarding the madam for a whole day and night, you should..."
“No need.” Before Xian’er could finish speaking, Ji Wushang interrupted her with his eyes, “You can go now, and don’t bother me and Mother for the time being.”
"Yes." Xian'er could only take the bird's nest and walk out.
The night breeze blew gently. Ji Wushang stayed by Madam Bei's side, but eventually he was too tired and couldn't resist the sleepiness, so he fell asleep next to her.
She didn't know how much time had passed when Ji Wushang felt someone touch her black hair. She slowly woke up and saw Madam Bei. Madam Bei was sitting up with a smile on her face, looking at Ji Wushang with smiles in her eyes. Ji Wushang looked up and saw this scene, and immediately burst into tears of joy. "Mother! Mother, you've finally woken up?" she said, grabbing Madam Bei's hand as if afraid that she would disappear.
Madam Bei gently touched her hand and said kindly, "If I leave, don't be too sad! After all, you still have a long way to go in life."
"No. No, Mother, don't leave me!" Ji Wushang cried out anxiously upon hearing her words. "Mother, what will I do if you leave?"
"What should we do?" Madam Bei listened thoughtfully for a moment before saying, "You know the answer in your heart. Your mother has not worried much in her life, except for you and Wu Zi. From now on, you must take good care of Wu Zi and not let him suffer any harm."
"Yes." Ji Wushang nodded with tears in his eyes.
“Birth, aging, sickness, and death are all very common things, and I’ve come to terms with it. It’s good to leave this chaotic mortal world sooner rather than later. But I miss you, I miss Wu Zi. Alas, it’s a pity that your mother can’t watch you put on your wedding dress and ride in the wedding sedan chair from this general’s mansion!” Madam Bei said, shaking her head with a sigh.
Ji Wushang looked at Madam Bei, wondering what to say, but he was already sobbing uncontrollably. He could only take another good look at Madam Bei, trying to remember her appearance.
"After Mother passes away, you should take good care of the affairs of this mansion so that your father can rest assured. Also, help your grandmother; she has had a difficult life." Madam Bei sighed and gently stroked Ji Wushang's hair.
Ji Wushang sensed a hidden meaning in her words and asked, "What's not easy? Mother, tell me, I'm listening!"
"Alas, if you should know in the future, you will know." Madam Bei seemed unwilling to recall those events. "I'm leaving. As for the other concubines, alas." At this moment, the frail Madam Bei didn't think of seeking revenge against those vile women. However, Ji Wushang wiped away his tears. "This time, wasn't it Concubine Bai's own doing? She framed Mother!"
"Wu Shang, since your father hasn't pursued the matter, let's just drop it! Your mother doesn't want to be known as a jealous woman. Sigh! Let's just let this go."
"What a trivial matter! Aunt Bai is so vicious, Mother, how can you say you're going to let them go? Besides, they're all heartless bastards, how can we let them get away with this? Do you expect me to watch Aunt Bai become the official wife? And then I'll have to keep calling her 'Mother'?" Ji Wushang said, a little agitated, looking at Madam Bei's face, which was full of suppressed anger.
“Wu Shang, your heart is tainted with too much hatred. It’s not good for you either.” Madam Bei shook her head.
“No, Mother, I know what you’re thinking. It’s a pity that others make our lives difficult, so we shouldn’t make theirs easy!” Ji Wushang’s eyes burned with fervor. “Mother, do you know that Wushang is no longer the same Wushang I used to be?”
"I know." Madam Bei smiled, her pale face becoming increasingly unreal, and her outstretched hand also becoming ethereal. However, she still wanted to stroke Ji Wushang's face, but Ji Wushang grabbed her hand, only to find that the hand he was holding no longer existed!
"Mother!" Ji Wushang was shocked. Looking at the person in front of him, he stepped forward, opened his arms, and thought of embracing Madam Bei, but he missed!
Ji Wushang was shocked and thought of calling out, but instead he saw Madam Bei lying on the bed. At this moment, her face was very peaceful. Ji Wushang focused his gaze on her hand placed by the bedside. Her hand was hanging down. He looked up and stared intently at Madam Bei's chest, hoping to see the faint rise and fall of her breath.
But no.
Ji Wushang was expressionless, his face frozen. Just then, a ray of sunlight shone in through the carved antique window, and Ji Wushang suddenly smiled.
But the next second, she burst into tears, crying her heart out!
The servants and maids outside were startled when they heard the sound coming from inside. They all knelt down in front of Madam Bei's inner room.
When Granny Shi realized the seriousness of the situation, she immediately summoned several maids and servants to go to each courtyard to announce the news of Madam Bei's death.
Doukou, Nianhua, and Xian'er were crying uncontrollably, kneeling together before Madam Bei's bed, sobbing.
Upon hearing the news of Madam Bei's death, everyone around her dropped what they were doing and went to the North Garden, weeping.
Ji Dingbei was in his study when he suddenly heard weeping all around him. He knew that Madam Bei must have passed away... Ji Dingbei put down the wolf-hair brush in his hand and rubbed his temples with both hands.
Bei Luo'er, his wife of many years, still passed away before him.
At that moment, Ji Tiankui burst in from outside, "Father! Mother..."
"Let's go together and take a look." Ji Dingbei turned around and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of his eyes with his fingers.
Consort Nangong had already arrived at the North Garden with Ji Yinxue, while Consort Bai was overjoyed to hear the news in the East Garden.
Ji Meiyuan ran in from outside at that moment, "Auntie! Good news, good news!"